We are moving next weekend. Innerloop/med center area. Near Kirby/South Main.

I am not from Houston, so I don't know what this means. What area? I have heard midtown or rice village are nice options...

Yes, midtown or rice are both very nice. Rice and upper kirby/galleria are probably the nicest areas, but both can be pricy. Innerloop means inside the interstate 610 loop that circles the downtown area. midtown and rice are both inside the loop also.

There is a huge area of medical center facilites/hospitals in the south part of the loop. (So large, that the first time I visited Houston, I mistaked the med center for downtown. ) That where our condo is. A bit less pricey, but still okay.

Same place I live now. Energy Corridor in West Houston which is about 15 miles west of downtown.

I've made the drive down there to the campus after work a few times to test it out, it's really not bad considering the major improvements they have made on I-10 in the last few years. It takes me about a solid 30 minutes on a good day, and 45 minutes if there is bad traffic.

I've noticed on the facebook group that there are quite a few commuters in this year's entering class, including people coming from the Woodlands, and Sugarland, which is really quite a hike.

We are moving next weekend. Innerloop/med center area. Near Kirby/South Main.

Are you going to be living in the condos on the corner of Kirby and Braeswood by chance?

No, but super, super close. Less than a mile maybe. A bit further south on Kirby toward 610. Are you condsidering those?

No, I've lived there for the past 2 years, I thought you may be moving across the street from me. You'll be living close to the Metro Rail and I highly recommend you take that to STCL. I use it frequently to go to work in Downtown.

RSN_M3 wrote:No, I've lived there for the past 2 years, I thought you may be moving across the street from me. You'll be living close to the Metro Rail and I highly recommend you take that to STCL. I use it frequently to go to work in Downtown.

Edit: Maybe we'll run into eachother at Target.

I totally plan to use the rail. That is one of the things I liked best about the location. I also work downtown. So I no longer plan to pay for parking.

I also plan to do the majority of my shopping at Target and the Kroger on Kirby.

investx wrote:I am looking for a place downtown within walking distance of the school. What about you?

The Camden Midtown apartments is where you have to live.

The Randalls is on the other side of the block of the apartments. The Chevron is on the other side of the apartments. You're within 1 block of a Spec's, two blocks from a Buffalo Wild Wings, Subway, Quiznos. You're within 2 blocks of the largest 24 hour fitness in Houston, same block as a UPS store and Spanish restaurant, Mexican restaurant, Walgreen's, Chase Bank, dry cleaner's. The access to the freeways is unbeatable. The street the apartments are on become US59 south, so getting in and out of the apartments takes seconds.

There are also several pubs and clubs across the street, so if you're living on the street facing them...your Fri/Saturday nights will be "bumpin".

I lived in the apartments during college and paid $762 per month in 2005. Now though a 1 BR is about $1100.

STCL is about 10 blocks from this complex and it's the closest apartment to the school.

$1100 for a 1 bedroom apartment in Houston is OUTRAGEOUS. I've lived here all my life and know the city like the back of my hand. Near South Texas most major apartment complex prices are ridiculous and I think they feed off the out-of-towner mentality that one must live in a complex. In fact, there are some great residential areas near the school which are much more reasonable.

Look into the Montrose/Museum District area. It is about a 5 minute drive from the school. You'll have to look on Craigslist for apartments though because most small complexes are privately owned. Also, the area has an abundance of charming duplexes (some are run-down, but others are gorgeous). The average 900 square foot bedroom in the area goes for $750ish/month, but there are much better deals if you are diligent. Keep in mind that they won't be flashy lofts like the midtown area, but you'll get much more bang for your buck. The good ones go quick though (most of mine I've found on the first day posted--$600/month for newly remodeled 1-bdrm's, etc--so check early in the morning.

Considering the price difference, it more than makes up for the gas costs of a 5-10 minute drive.

I don't disagree that $1,100 for a 1BR is outrageous, but that's the closest complex within walking distance of the campus. One of my homes falls right into the "Very Nice" section on your map, but I'd have to disagree that the area is very nice. It's not a developmental area like some parts of downtown are, but it's far from very nice. IMO, West University qualifies as very nice. My ex went to the University of St. Thomas so I know the area quite well. Granted, I do have a rental property in the area, anticipating that the property values will increase substantially in the coming years.

The right and northern parts of the very nice square are known for drug activity and prostitution.

In every area, there are pockets of not so nice. But there are pockets of very nice too. That is just the nature of Houston since there are no zoning codes. The home we live in now is in 3rd ward, and when I mention that, people usually make a terrible face. But it is a lovely home, in a quite subdivision called University Oaks, adjacent to U of H. The home values are good, there are families, and never had any issues other than ones found even in the best of neighborhoods.

My suggestion would be to define your budget, and then take a look at several properties. Being there, you should be able to gage the area for yourself.

Yes, West U is very nice, but it doesn't have as many rental options as the Montrose/Med Center and Midtown areas so I excluded it in my criteria...

So that being said, that particular area in blue is a very nice area of Montrose. Richmond can be a little sketchy (lots of immigrants), but it is Houston after all. Just trying to throw out different options for different budgets

You guys should branch out as well. I live just on the other side of 610 in Tanglewood and it's a dreamland. People jogging and walking their dogs at 11pm plus only a 15min drive into school and I never get on the highway. Don't think you have to live a stones-throw away from school.

Grad_Student wrote:You guys should branch out as well. I live just on the other side of 610 in Tanglewood and it's a dreamland. People jogging and walking their dogs at 11pm plus only a 15min drive into school and I never get on the highway. Don't think you have to live a stones-throw away from school.

Inside the Loop is the trendy place to be, and honestly I enjoyed it when I lived there, but Grad Student makes a great point.

Houston is a HUGE city outside of the loop, and it doesn't really impact the commute too severely to branch out. My commute will be nearly 45 minutes going to school, and about 30 going home, but I like where I live, and oh yeah... You'll pay about half as much outside the loop.

I think it's pretty safe to walk out at 9:00 - 9:30 PM. I've parked at the garage across STCL for the past year to go to work. Never during my late nights did I feel unsafe. You may come across a homeless person on occasion, but just ignoring them always does the trick.

As for the rail, you'll have some questionable people riding it during the late hours. On many of the platforms there will be homeless people. Even during the day, I was once standing on the platform waiting for the rail after work (4 PM), and a guy who just got out of prison asked to use my phone. I've used the rail after 9 several times, without issue. Just be vigilant and pay attention.

lawschool10 wrote:Is it safe to take the rail at night, i.e. for part time students?

Grad Student- thanks for all your inupt - much appreciated- can you comment on parking at night and walking out of class at 9-930pm?

Many thanks

Pretty much what RSN said. I park in the garage behind the building in front of STCL (confusing now but it won't be). I never feel uncomfortable but it is a bit spooky since after 6-7 downtown just DIES and no one is down there.

I work downtown a few blocks from the school, have worked late, and never felt unsafe.There are homeless people downtown at night, but they are also there during the day. Homeless people are poor, but not necessarily criminals. I have never felt they were agressive or threatening.

I would feel more unsettled if I saw lots of gang member types or groups of young people running around, but I don't see that at all downtown.

And remember, STCL employs over-time police officers (HPD, Harris Co. Sherrif) that patrol the school, around the school and the prof's parking area. They will also escort you all the way to your car in your parking garage.

Grad_Student wrote:And remember, STCL employs over-time police officers (HPD, Harris Co. Sherrif) that patrol the school, around the school and the prof's parking area. They will also escort you all the way to your car in your parking garage.

Nice.

I have another question for you. How hard is it to be selected to write for the law review? Is there an application process? I really don't know a lot about it, but am very interested in it, so any info would be greatly appreciated.